Fluid propelling device



June 13, 1933. v u. s. JENKINS FLUID PROPELLING DEVICE Original Filed Jan.

Patented June 13, 1933 I PATENT OFFICE ULYSSES S. JENKINS, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS nun) raormme nnvicn Application filed Ianuary.3, 1927. Serial No. 158,883. gamma Kay 11, 1982. i

The present invention relates to propelling devices for propelling or forcing movement ofl fluids through or along a passage or the li (e.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel fluid propelling means, pref.-

erably adapted for use in a fluid circulating.

system, such as that in an oil cracking still,

with means for causing the directing of the.

utllity when operating to effect a POSltlVG and more rapid flow'or circulation than is possibleby a thermo-siphon action. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the means for preventing slippage comprehends the reducing of the cross-sectional area of the passage at the locus of the propelling means, such as by the provision of an annular member in the passage with a tapered throat, proximate to the propelling device, such as a blade device, and,'as in a specific embodiment, just behind the blades thereof,- and with the tapered surface of the annular member extendingwithin the eripheral path of the outer ends of the bla es. In this way any tendency to the oil slipping back along the surface of the passage opposite the ends of the blades will be blocked, and the suction action of the blades will be upon a body of oil through a throat very much in the form of an ajutage tube or the like. The contracting of the stream induces increased velocity whereby the blades may operate at high, speed and there willalso be a reduced lateral pressure thus tending to prevent the lateral flow of the liquid toward the wall of the passage at thelocus of the propelling blades. thus acting against'any tendency of back slipping of the fluid.

Another feature of'the invention is the providing of novel means for ready and quick attaching and detaching of the propelling blade device, thus greatly reducing the time of shut down of the still that would be required in the case of using means which ma be frozen to the propeller or the like, suc as when using a castellated nut threaded to. the end of the shaft. In the present invention, it is preferable to rovide the end of the shaft with a shoul er which may be tapered, and the blade device or assembly having a counterpart socket, such as a tapered socket, to fit the same, and to hold the same normally in place as by means of providing a slot in the shaft and a taper or cotter pin or the like therein. In this way when it is desired to remove the blade assembly, the pin may be quickly and readily withdrawn from the slot and the assembly pulled from the end of the shaft, as by a suitable l0 pulling device if necessary. A new assembly may be similarly quickly connected in place.

In this way the shutdown period is greatly reduced from several hours to a fraction of an hour.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and features comprehended by the invention will later appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view with part in vertical elevation of a portion of a cracking still embodying the invention.' I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the propeller part of theinvention.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 3-3 in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

And, Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken in a plane represented by line H in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, anillustrative embodiment of the invention is shown embodied in a cracking still comprising a drum 1 connected with a cir-' culating passage 2 depending downwardly from the drum 1 and connected at its lower end to a cross-drum 3 suitably sup orted by a stand 4. The drum 3 has a num r of 1 tubes 5 subjected to the heat of a furnace 6,

and leading to the other end of the still and being connected to the other end of the drum either directly or through another cross drum andyertical passage (not shown). In this type of still the oil is caused to circulate or more in a circuitous path for repeated passage through the tubes 5 and repeated application of heat effects.

Above the drum 1 and suitably supported in any desired manner or even upon the drum 1 itself, is mounted a motor 7 carried by a pedestal 8. To the motor is connected a shaft 9 extending upwardly through suitable bearing and packing mechanisms 10 having a se-alin g connection with the drum 1. The shaft is suitably housed in a housing 11 extending downwardly through the drum space and into the passage 2; The shaft 9 extends beyond the open end of the housing into the passage 2. At the lower end of the housing 11 is secured a centering band or ring 12 connected by radial adjusting links 11) connected at their outer ends to brackets 14 fastened to the side walls of the passage 2. By adjusting the links 13 the band or collar 12 maybe properly centered with the housing 11. The open end of the housing 11 is socketed to slidably receive a. bearing member or sleeve 15 which may be of bronze or like composition. This member may be secured in place by any suitable securing elements such as set screws 16 which may be locked in place by lock nuts 1.7. Within this outer bearing member 15 may be also slidably included an inner bearing member 18 which is adapted to rotate in the member 15, and which may be of steel or similar material, preferably of different material than the member 15. The member 18 is preferably secured to the shaft 9 by any suitable securing means such as a. set screw 19 which may be held in place by a lock nut 20. The lower ends of the members 15 and 18 may be provided with flanges 21 and 22. the set screw 7 for the latter passing through flange22 as desired. The flanges 21 and 22 may also be provided with threaded openings such as the opening 23 in the flange 22 for the engage ment therewith of a pulling device adapted to react against the lower end of the shaft 9 when the members 15 and'18 are to be re.- moved. The above structure provides for a bearing of which the member 15 is held in relatively stationary position and the member 18 is secured to the shaft- 9 to rotate therewith and also to be journaledin the member 15, the bearing surfaces being between these two members. If for any reason the bearing surface becomes scored or otherwise injured and replacement be made necessary, it is only necessary to remove the members 15 and 18 and replace the same without necessitating the replacing of the shaft 9 and the housing 11 and the attendant cost and labor.

The lower end of the shaft is provided with a tapered portion 24 to form a seat for a tapered socket 25 of a blade device as shown in Fig. 2. The latter comprises a number of blades 26 extending radially from the hub portion 27 as shown. The tapered portion of the shaft is preferably provided with a slot in which may laterally extend a taper or cotter pin 28 for holding the blade assembly upon the tapered portion 24. The hu 27 is also preferably secured to the shaft by way of a removable key 29 whereby the blade assembly may be pos tively rotated in umson with the shaft 9. If for any reason it be desired to remove the blade assembly or replace the same. it may be readily done by driving out the pin 28 from its slot, removing key 29 and pulling the blade assembly from its scat. If it cannot be readily pulled from its seat. a pulling device may be applied to the end of the shaft to react thereagainst and pull the blade assembly from its tapered seat.

Within the passage 2 and approximately behind the blade assembly is located an annular member 30 having a tapered surface 31 forming an annular throat in the passage. the surface 31 extending a short distance within the peripheral path of the ends of the blades 26. This member is located close to the blades to prevent back slipping or slippage of the oil around the ends of the blades rearwardly into the passage 2. It also reduces the diameter of the stream so as to increase its velocity when passing into the blades as well as directing the oil into the blades and causing a reduction of pressure laterally thus also aiding to prevent the passage of the oil backwardly in the passage 2.

When it is desired to remove and replace the bearing members 15 and 18 a pulling device mav be applied to the lower end of the shaft and suitable conncctingmcans threaded. into the threaded apertures 23 of either or both sleeves, for successively wi hdrawing the same, it being assumed of course that the set screws have been previously loosened. New sleeves may then be driven into place and the set screws tightened to secure the members 15 and 18 in place.

The propelling device above described is located in the down leg 2 of the circulating passage of a cracking still so as to cause a rapid passage or flow of the oil downwardly through the leg 2 and hence with rapid circulation throughout the circulatory system 4 Any number of blades may be provided in the propelling means, two bades however being shown. If for any reason the propeller should be stopped, the circulation of the liquid will continue upon a thermosiphon principle. The propeller is used to increase the velocity of flow and the efiiciency of the operation of the device.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited thereby but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without de arting from the spirit thereof.

Iaving thus disclosed the invention,

I claim:

1. In an oil cracking still havin a circulating passage for the oil un ergoing cracking, a propeller having blades operating in said passage, and tapered means exing, a shaft extending into said passage and carrying propeller blades for propelling oil in a given direction in said passage, a tapered annular member in said passage and converging toward said blades for directing the oil thereinto.

1. In an oil cracking still having a circulatingpassage for the oil undergoing cracking, a shaft extending into said passage and carrying propellemblades for propelling oil in a given direction in said passage, a ta- 7 pered annular member in said passage converging toward and terminating contiguous to the peripheral path of the outer ends of said blades for directing the oil thereinto.

5. In an oil cracking still having a cylindrical passage for circulating oil undergoing cracking therethrough, a propeller having blades operating in said passage, and a tapered annular member proximately behind said blades for directing oil into said blades.

6. In an oil cracking still having a cylindrical passage for circulating oil undergoing cracking therethrough, a propeller having blades operating in said passage, the outer ends of the blades of said propeller being spaced from the walls of said passage, and an annular member in said passage extending from the" walls of said passage and overlying in close proximity the outer ends of said propeller bladesto prevent slippage of oil from the ends of said blades back along the walls of said passage.

7. In an oil cracking still having a cylindrical passage for circulating oil undergoing,

cracking therethrough, a propeller having blades operating in said passage, and a COIII- cal surface within said passage and overlying the outer ends of said blades for directing the flow of oil into said blades and preventing slippage of oil from the ends of said blades back along the walls of said passage.

8. In an oil cracking still having a cylindrical passage for circulating oil undergo ing cracking downward therethrough,.a pro peller having blades operating in said passage, and tapered means associated with said passage immediately above the propeller for directing oil toward the center of said blades, the underside of said tapered means being parallel to and overlying the outer ends of said blades to prevent slippage of oil from said propeller blades back along the walls of said passage.

9. In an oil cracking still having a cylindrical passage for circulating oil undergoing cracking downward therethrough, a propeller having blades operating in said passage, a tapered restriction associated with said passage immediately above the propeller for directing oil toward the center of said .blades, the underside of said tapered restriction being parallel to and overlying the outer ends of said blades to Prevent slippage of oil from said propeller blades back along I sage for directing oil into said blades, the

underside of said conical surface being posi tioned in said passage immediately above the outer ends of said propeller blades and overlying the same for preventing slippage of oil from said propeller blades back along the walls of said passage.

. a '11. In an oil cracking still comprising a drum, a bank of heating tubes and connecting passages between said tubes and drum, a tapered restriction associated with one of said connecting passages, apropeller having blades operating in said passage between said restriction and said tubes, the underside of said tapered restriction overlying the outer ends of said blades to prevent slippage of oil from said propeller blades back along the walls of said passage.

12. In an oil cracking still comprising a drum, a bank of heating tubes and connecting passages between said tubes and drum. a shaft extending into one of said connecting passages and carrying-propeller blades for propelling oil in a given direction in said passage, and a tapered annular member in said passage and converging toward said blades for directing the oil thereinto.

13. In an oil cracking still comprising a 5 drum, a bank of heating tubes and connect- 

